Laser-made "lightsaber" plasma antenna transmits radio waves for the first time

Researchers at North Carolina State University have transmitted radio waves using an antenna made from a laser-generated plasma filament. The antenna's length and angle can be tuned via the laser, a promising approach for satellites and spacecraft.

• A laser ionizes a column of air into a plasma filament antenna
• Transmission was demonstrated at 30 MHz in the VHF band
• A metal ring acts as a contactless capacitive feed
• Low Earth orbit has enough air to form the plasma